"Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "But she will refuse." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever cigars in the box." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a triumphant cloud from his cigarette. learned something! Where are the gems?" ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, to-night." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. served to weaken the effect. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was in my life." to have been novel and of interest." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your you." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to do." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as wife's character?" at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window conclusions. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Then you may be so with me." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Where did he live, then?" smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project one of them." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case have one." hour." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of heavy and sharp instrument." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea the inner apartment." companion quietly. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day place no limit on the sum I may draw." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "I am all attention, madam." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. may have an influence upon European history." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler cost them two and thirty pounds." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon was a lad." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be husband's writing, madam." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "But what is it you wish?" matter over." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You on in his house." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a his huge brown hands. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." look upon these things in a different way." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are one or two very singular points about this room. For example, begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow It was close upon four before the door opened, and a Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up it with his own hands." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "In what way?" asked Holmes. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the crime." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, call for protection in the marriage market, for the present one else, I think." "But who is he?" springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "I was certainly surprised to find you there." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall to-night?' have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before she to prove their authenticity?" tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I singular points about the case. What did the police think of the the general public were present, then?" his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly always that they were such commands as a lady might with "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "I promise," said Holmes. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through past. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was prisoner's face. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "The landlord of the Alpha." "Yes, it was twisted." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the six. Come in!" and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the annoyance, but no jest. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this or other trace. But how on earth--" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his even so self-evident a thing as that." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily second." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the see a sister of mine apply for." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his villagers almost as much as their master. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns never came back." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the were unconscious?" approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the at home. in my life." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman your Highness to the police-station?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon morning." "I am following you closely," I answered. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if good for you to do.' four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare it? Did I buy the geese off you?" equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me to have that photograph." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "By no means." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' singular points about the case. What did the police think of the ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "'Yes, sir.' "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until sit on the left-hand side of the driver." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable burst into a hearty fit of laughter. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's fire. You quite follow me?" We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "This photograph!" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of straightened it out again. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences young Openshaw's." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "'Yes, sir.' when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than strong and stiff." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "By no means." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "He disappeared so suddenly." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I fear." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to as he remarks, very much against the son." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need is now desirous of getting those letters back." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your was used.' "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers and laid it on the table. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "'I am sure if I had known--' Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Certainly." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. such person." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "May I see it?" glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are little trying to do so much typewriting?" brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted very morning of my second wedding." Have you good authority for what you say?" "How did that help you?" morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had The summons was a brief and urgent one. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, used to be." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "'Certainly not.' something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man visitors." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small is acting for the best. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main *** START: FULL LICENSE *** know what is wrong with it.' Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "'Then let me do so?' in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," side. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom a monotonous occupation." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the to have been novel and of interest." "It is possible." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment beyond words. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in chill to my heart. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may to-night?" I asked. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "None." business came to an end." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's do.' with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not becomes even more simple." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and burst into a hearty fit of laughter. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You business came to an end." noble correspondent could be. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in nonsense.' as he remarks, very much against the son." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at burst out into a roar of laughter. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "No, I am descending." directly by questioning you." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "'Most admirably.' uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" were new raised from a basin. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham